Single Hand Horizontal Paper Towel Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A single hand, horizontal, paper towel dispenser for paper towel rolls designed to assist in creating a tear of a selected number of sheets by providing friction from a static tear bale. The single hand dispensing device can optionally employ friction surfaces and various additional structures to allow a user to grasp paper towel segments and tear off a desired length of paper towel segments with one hand.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/444,680, filed on Feb. 18, 2011 and entitled “Horizontal Paper Towel Holder Dispenser.”

RELATED PATENTS

This application relates to applicant's prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,786,377 entitled Single Hand, Paper Towel Dispenser issued on Sep. 7, 2004; 6,805,271 entitled Single Hand, Paper Towel Sheet Dispenser issued on Oct. 19, 2004 and 7,090,106 entitled Frictional Surface Apparatus for One handed Dispensing of Paper Sheet Segments issued on Aug. 15, 2006.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a novel paper towel dispenser. More specifically this invention relates to a single hand paper towel dispenser operable to be positioned upon a horizontal surface to facilitate dispensing of a desired length of paper towel segments with one hand.

Paper towels are routinely used in kitchens, restaurants, shops, work benches, on painting job sites and the like. Towel dispensers are often used to dispense disposable paper towel segments to clean up spills or to clean tables and kitchen appliances. In addition, paper towel dispensers are used in garages, auto or wood working shops and in other work areas where people need to absorb or wipe-up a spill, dry a surface or simply clean and/or dry their hands.

Paper towels usually are sold in a roll on a paper core approximately one inch in diameter and eleven inches or so in width. Paper towels are usually formed from one or two ply sheets of absorbent paper material fashioned into eleven-by-eleven or eleven-by-thirteen inch sheets connected together end-to-end along serrated tear lines. The paper towel segments, connected serially, are wound upon the paper core and are usually sixty feet, or so, in overall length. One brand comes in sheets that are approximately eleven-by-eleven inches square. Another brand is sold in a roll of sheets eleven inches wide by thirteen point eight inches in length joined end-to-end along serration tear lines. Still other brands include towel segments or lengths of seven inches or less.

These paper towel brands are often dispensed by using a simple U-shaped bracket holder which is operable to be mounted upon a vertical wall surface or beneath a horizontal wood surface such as a cupboard by wood screws. Each end of the U-shaped bracket is designed to hold one end of the paper towel core or alternatively a rod can be axially extended through the center of the paper core and mounted at its ends on the bracket or frame. At least one disadvantage of traditional paper towel dispensers is that a person needs to use both hands to dispense a desired length of paper towel segments. This disadvantage represents an inconvenience and difficulty for people, which is all too common, when one hand is holding a container, object of use or is otherwise soiled or occupied. In such moments the only option, in most instances, is to find a place to set the container down so that both hands are free to tear off one or more sheets of paper towels. If a user attempts to use inertia and jerk a few sheets of towel from a roll, the roll can unreel, to a greater or less degree, leaving the user with the task of rewinding the unused length of towel segments.

Some brands use complicated structures that aid tearing but require threading of the unreeled portion of the paper towels through somewhat complex mechanisms. It would be desirable to provide a horizontal countertop paper towel dispenser that provides a slot through which the unreeled portion of the paper towel roll exits and which provides friction to ease the tearing off of sheets with one hand. Certain structural features allow the holder to be loaded without the user having to thread the end of the paper towel roll through the dispensing exit slot.

Traditional paper towel dispensers are often poorly designed or cheaply produced which means that a roll of paper towels often falls off the dispenser when a person attempts to tear off a paper towel segment. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a paper towel dispenser that is rugged and reliable in design and function and will securely retain a roll of paper towels during a dispensing procedure.

In at least one further prior design, a roll of paper towels was operably received within a trough with a slit along one edge of the bottom of the trough. A free end of the roll of towels was trained through the slit and therefore operated as a dispensing unit. In this device there is nothing to brake rotation of the roll, except a user's second hand, and therefore while this design will dispense towel segments it exhibits many of the limitations of prior designs.

In applicant's prior patented designs one hand dispensing has been advantageously disclosed for operation with a wall mounted dispenser. Although such dispensers have significant utility there are designed for a relatively fixed wall mounted location and are not meant to be readily moved except by remounting at a different wall location. Moreover applicant's prior patents do not admit to mounting on a horizontal surface.

It would be desirable to have a horizontal countertop, single hand, paper towel dispenser that provides secure retention of a roll of paper towel segments while concomitantly facilitating tearing off of paper towel sheet segments with one hand.

In addition it would be highly desirable to provide a paper towel dispenser that can be facilely moved from one work area to another and permit one handed dispensing of a desired length of towel segments with one free hand

The difficulties and desired features suggested in the preceding are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are among many which demonstrate that paper towel dispensers appearing in the past will admit to worthwhile improvement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a horizontal, single hand paper towel dispenser with a tear bale including an concave arcuate central section to facilitate tearing of paper towel segments from a roll of paper towels;

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a horizontal, single hand, paper towel dispenser with an internal core holder for a roll of paper towel segments and a tear bale with an arcuate single hand tear region;

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment with a dispensing slot having an arcuate friction surface and paper towel roll securing frames;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the horizontal, single hand, paper towel dispenser with parallel dispensing bales integrated with the roll holder;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 4 in which the roll is held by horizontal bars;

FIG. 6 illustrates an integrated device in which the roll is held in place entirely by a concave structure in the holder region;

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment similar to FIG. 6 in which parallel bales assist dispensing of paper towels;

FIG. 8 illustrates a paper towel dispenser with wire loop arms holding the sides of a paper towel roll;

FIG. 9 illustrates an integrated device similar to FIG. 8 with the roll of paper towels removed;

FIG. 10 illustrates a hinge design that facilitates the loading the unreeled sheet into a dispenser slot; and

FIG. 11 illustrates an integrated embodiment in which a paper towel roll is held in place by a concave surface of the holder region similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are two perspective views that illustrate additional features of the invention. A forward slope in the dispenser slot surface keeps the outer surface of the paper towel roll close to the dispenser slot even as the roll becomes nearly empty. Also illustrated an additional hand slot in the rear of the dispenser can be used as a handle.

SUMMARY

The invention is a single hand, horizontal paper towel dispenser to assist in dispensing sheet segments of a roll of paper towel segments by providing a horizontal slot or channel in combination with an arcuate roll support. After a perforation has passed through the slot with a desired length of paper towel segments, a user simply pulls upwardly with one hand to tear the length of towel segments at the perforation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A roll of paper towels comprises a long sheet of paper towel segments which are wound upon a central core. This core is typically a hollow cardboard tube. The sheet further comprises a continuous length of paper towel material formed by a series of paper towel segments separated by transverse perforations. Individual paper towel segments can be dispensed when the roll is held stationary and a user holds the end of an unreeled portion of the sheet and pulls. Paper towel segments will be dispensed as each is torn off from the rest along the perforations. The paper towel holder disclosed herein is to facilitate this procedure while using a single hand from a portable unit operable to be facially transportable and operably supported upon a horizontal surface.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the subject single hand, horizontal, paper towel dispenser invention. In this embodiment the paper towel dispenser 10 comprises a base 12, which may include an integrated weight plate, having a dispensing region 14 and an arcuate roll holder region 16. A paper towel segment is fed through a tear bale 18. As an alternative to threading a paper towel segment through the tear bale slot, a central gap 19 is provided through which a paper towel segment can be loaded from the middle.

There is a an arcuate hand relief 20 in a central portion of the tear bale 18 that allows a user's single hand to gain secure purchase on a distal segment of paper towel segments to be dispensed.

An initial paper towel segment can be threaded through a slot 22 to facilitate upward tearing with a single hand motion. A concave tray 24 serves to permit unreeling of paper towel segments while concomitantly keeping a roll of paper towels in a secure horizontal posture. A wire keeper 26 assists in keeping a roll of paper towels within the concave tray 24.

FIG. 2 shows the invention in an alternative form. In this embodiment an arcuate hand relief 30 is provided in a cantilever mounted upper bale 32 which frames tear slot 34. The arcuate hand relief 30 can be located centrally, as shown, or at other positions along the upper bale 32. A side feed slot 36 is available to assist in threading paper through the tear bale slot 34. The roll of paper towels is held for rotation by an axial roll support 38 as opposed to sitting in a tray 24 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 shows the invention in another alternative form from a reverse perspective. A frictional arcuate surface 40 is fashioned on the tear bale 42 to assist in tearing sheets. Solid keeper panels 44 are located at the ends of the tray 46 to hold a roll of paper towels within an arcuate tray 46.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. The concave tray 50 which permits unreeling of paper towel segments while concomitantly keeping a roll of paper towels in place (in a secure horizontal posture) is designed as an insert 56 within a generally rectangular case 52. The sides of the case 54, together with the concave tray 50, keep the roll of paper towels in place. A pair of transverse bales, 57 and 58, frame a paper towel dispensing slot 59. The upper bale 57 may have an arcuate friction surface such as illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the invention in which the roll holder function performed by a concave tray (FIGS. 1-4) is replaced by a set of horizontal dowels. The dowels are placed in a generally semicircular array. In this embodiment the spaces between the dowels provide a convenient pathway through which paper towel segments can move from the roll holder region 62 to the dispensing region 64. In this embodiment, the sides 66 of the dispenser also keep a roll of paper towels in place while paper towel segments are dispensed by unreeling from the roll through a pair of parallel bales 67 and 68.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention in which an arcuate roll holder region 70 comprises a curved sheet and can function together with a dispensing region 72 including an upper bale arm 74. The curved sheet 70 is mounted upon a horizontal base member 76 to provide a weighted securement for the roll.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6 in which the wire keeper 80 is mounted at each end of the arcuate roll holder 70. This structure, similar to FIG. 6, has a rear portion 70 that provides support to keep a paper towel roll in place and a front portion 78 against which paper towel segments can be dispensed. The front portion includes an upper bale 79 to facilitate tearing off segments of paper towels.

FIG. 8 is an embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG. 7 in which a wire keeper 82 is provided at the ends of a holder region 84. A dispensing region 86 is similar to that of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 shows still another form of the invention. In this embodiment an arcuate roll holder region 92 is fitted with solid side supports to maintain a roll of paper towels in position. The dispensing region 96 is similar to that of FIGS. 6 and 8.

In FIG. 10 an arcuate roll holder region 100 includes a curved sheet tray 102. The tray includes perforations 104 and increases paper towel roll visibility. A hinge 106 is used to lift an upper bale 108 which assists in loading paper into the tear slot 112. A keeper stanchion 114 is shown at each end of the tray which helps keep a paper towel roll in place in the roll holder region 100. An arcuate concave hand relief area 116 is provided in the upper bale 108 to facilitate grasping of paper towel segments to be dispensed.

FIG. 11 shows another alternative, solidly molded form of the invention. An arcuate roll holder region 120 is joined with a dispensing region 122 and these regions are components of a single molded whole 124. The solid side supports 126 and the tear bale 128 are also integrated in this embodiment. The tear bale 128 may include an arcuate inner friction surface and a sharp outer edge 130 to facilitate the tearing action of dispensing a segment of paper towels.

FIG. 12 illustrates still another embodiment. The surface of the roll holder region 130 is sloped forward. In this embodiment a roll of paper towels will, due to the force of gravity, roll forward and contact the dispensing slot 134. The advantage of this embodiment is that the surface of a roll of paper towels will remain in contact with the dispensing slot 134 even when the roll is nearly empty. This gives the dispenser both a aesthetic appeal by keeping the roll from unraveling and keeps the roll at an optimum distance from the dispensing slot to facilitate tearing. FIG. 12 also illustrates a hand hold 132 which can be used to lift and transport the device. FIG. 13 illustrates the device in FIG. 12 from a different perspective.

The overall design of the embodiments hold a paper towel roll in a horizontal posture for one hand dispensing. The invention can be made from a variety of materials such as polyethylene. The main features include a tear bale and a tray or roll support. The tray can be made as a solid piece or with multiple parts.

A frictional surface can be a variety of textures including, but not limited to raised bumps, a flat or arcuate surface operable to produce friction. The frictional surface can be a variety of materials including, but not limited to, plastic, silicone, rubber, metal, etc. The pattern and distribution can be a varied. The friction surface is located upon a bottom surface of the tear bale in advance of a sharp tear edge of the bale.

The tear slot can have a variety of shapes, forms, positions, and dimensions. If the tear slot is designed such that it alone provides enough friction to facilitate a tear, a frictional surface may not be necessary.

The foregoing preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention are not intended to be exhaustive but rather are illustrative of the invention and should not be construed to be limitations on the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A paper towel dispenser comprising: a base operable to be position upon a horizontal surface, said base having dispensing region in front and a roll holder region in the rear, said dispensing region comprising a vertical frame with a rectangular slit, said slit having a horizontal opening width sufficiently greater that the width of a paper towel sheet to allow paper towel sheets to pass through the dispensing without folding and defining an orientation plane and said slit having a vertical opening height sufficiently large to allow a paper towel sheet to pass through free of friction, and said roll holder region having an arcuate upper surface configured to contact and support a roll of paper towels, said dispensing region being further configured with a loading structure that allows an unreeled portion of the paper towel sheet to be loaded into said dispensing slot without threading the sheet through the slot and, said dispensing region configured such that when a user pulls in an upward direction by a sheet passing through said dispensing slit and which creates friction allowing the user to tear a paper towel segment from the roll with one hand.
 2. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 1 wherein: said loading structure comprising an opening in the upper leg of said frame.
 3. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 2 wherein; said opening comprising an oblique slot cut into the upper leg of said frame.
 4. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 1 wherein; said loading structure is a hinge that allows a leg of said frame to be opened so that the paper towel sheet can be loaded into said dispensing slot.
 5. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 1 wherein; said roll holder region is further comprises a holding bail said holding bail having an L-shape with a short and long arm, wherein said short arm is mounted to and extends generally perpendicularly from the rear side of said dispensing frame and extends along a side surface of a paper towel roll and said long arm is configured to rest on the rear outer surface of a paper towel roll.
 6. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 1 wherein; said roll holder region concave upper surface extends a length sufficient to hold a paper towel roll in place.
 7. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 1 wherein; an inner surface of said slot has a frictional surface configured to allow dispensing of individual paper towel segments from a paper towel sheet by pulling the end of the sheet at an angle such that the sheet contacts the frictional surface.
 8. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 7 wherein: said frictional surface is a lower inner surface.
 9. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 7 wherein: said frictional surface is an upper inner surface.
 10. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 1 wherein: a front portion of said dispensing region further comprises a hand to relief region configured to allow a user's hand to grasp the unreeled portion of a roll of paper towels closer to the point where the sheet unreels from the roll.
 11. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 10 wherein: said hand relief region further comprises a concave shape in the center of the front portion of said dispensing region.
 12. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 1 wherein: the dispensing region has a surface sloped toward the front of the holder.
 13. The paper towel holder as defined in claim 1 wherein: the rear of the holder contains a hand hold.
 14. A single hand, horizontal, paper towel dispenser comprising: a base having a dispensing region in front and a paper towel roll holder region aligned with said dispensing region; said dispensing region comprising a vertical frame with a rectangular slit, said slit having a horizontal opening width sufficiently greater that the width of a paper towel sheet to allow paper towel sheets to pass through the dispensing slot without folding and having a vertical opening height sufficiently large to allow a paper towel sheet to pass through said opening and permit upward single hand tearing of said paper tower against and upper portion of said rectangular slit; said roll holder region comprising a plurality of horizontal bars configured to contact and support a roll of paper towels, said dispensing region being further configured so that the unreeled portion of the paper towel sheet is loaded into said dispensing slot from beneath the paper towel dispenser.
 15. A single hand paper towel roll dispenser operable to be positioned upon a horizontal surface, said paper towel dispenser comprising: a base having a planar bottom surface and being operable to be positioned upon a horizontal surface and an arcuate upper surface operable to receive a toll of paper towel segments serially connected along score line junctions; at least one member connected to said base and being operable to permit a paper towel roll to be positioned within said arcuate upper surface of said base and be retained for rotation within said arcuate portion of said base; a tear bale connected to said base and extending in a generally parallel posture with respect to a central axis of a roll of paper towels positioned within said arcuate upper surface of said base and transverse with respect to a free end of a roll of paper towel segments operable to be positioned within said arcuate upper surface of said base, said tear bale having an outer tear edge operable to be engaged by a paper towel panel upon an upward pull of a paper towel panel against said tear bale.
 16. A single hand paper towel roll dispenser operable to be positioned upon a horizontal surface as defined in claim 15 wherein said tear bale having: an arcuate concave central location of said tear bale.
 17. A single hand paper towel roll dispenser operable to be positioned upon a horizontal surface as defined in claim 16, said tear bale further comprising: a central zone of separation of said tear bale located within said concave contour of said tear bale.
 18. A single hand paper towel roll dispenser operable to be positioned upon a horizontal surface as defined in claim 15 said tear bale comprising: an arcuate friction surface positioned upon an underside of said tear bale to facilitate single hand tearing of one or more paper towel segments from a paper towel roll. 